Man Utd will reject any bid for Fernandes

What the report says

Manchester United plan to turn down any approach for captain Bruno Fernandes before the transfer deadline, according to BBC Sport. The report says Turkish side Galatasaray are weighing up a bid for the 31-year-old Portugal midfielder, while Juventus and AC Milan have also been linked as clubs interested in testing United’s stance.

BBC Sport says Galatasaray had been considering an offer that could have reached about 50 million euros, but senior sources at Old Trafford believe such an approach would be pointless because Fernandes is not for sale at any price. The club’s position appears firmer than last summer, when Fernandes was allowed to decide whether to accept a major offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal.

Fernandes has one year left on his current contract, plus an option for another season, and the report says he would prefer to stay. A £57 million release clause has now expired, and there has been no agreement yet on a new deal.

The issue matters because Fernandes remains central to United’s plans after a strong season in which he scored nine goals and set up a Premier League-record 21 assists. BBC Sport notes that supporters are likely to react badly if the club does not make clear it is trying to keep one of its key players.